It’s that time of year again: midterms. Through all the cramming and staying up late your body and mind could be suffering. Getting a good grade is paramount, and less important things like sleep, sanity, and proper nutrition are put on the backburner. Well, I’m here to tell you that getting eight hours of sleep a night and eating well-balanced meals with your sanity intact should not be a luxury. Taking care of yourself is not a choice, it is a must. There are apps out there to help, such as My Study Life and TimeTune. Take advantage of them; they are a huge benefit. Also, here are some tips and ways to improve your overall wellbeing in three major areas of leading a healthy lifestyle: Sleep, nutrition/exercise, and mental health.
Sleep
On average a college student gets 6-6.9 hours of sleep a night, when around eight is recommended. Did you know that by pulling an all-nighter you decrease your ability to learn new facts by about forty percent? It’s true. So, how do you get to bed at a decent time and actually go to sleep? First things first: start going to bed at the same time every day to get your body used to a routine. To ensure this, make a schedule outlining everything you’re going to do that and at what time. Sounds like a lot, but it should not take you more than ten minutes the night before. Secondly, before bed, put the technology down! Scientists believe sleep deprivation comes from the blue light emitted from things such as computer and phone screens, which creates a stimulating effect on the mind.
Nutrition/Exercise
Ok, so for me this has to be one of the hardest. With all the late-night restaurants and Tigers to Go, it can be hard to get proper nutrition. Not to mention eating at the dining hall day end and day out can get blah. In fact, it may not be entirely your fault. A study published by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that fifty-nine percent of students at a university in Oregon were food insecure. Basically, this means that they had a limited or uncertain access to nutritious and/or safe foods. Despite all of this you still can maintain some control. Pack healthy snacks in advance, and eat a salad or a fruit first when you go to the dining hall. Also there are plenty of articles out there (many on Her Campus) on healthy food hacks. Now, when it comes to exercise I am no fan. It is recommended that college students get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. Between lecture halls, study sessions, the dining hall and taking the bus this can prove to be difficult. However, did you know that a study that was done at Tufts University found that students who exercised at least three times week were more likely to be happier? Even though it can be difficult to do, you should exercise. Wear workout clothes to class to persuade yourself to work out, and if going to the gym is not your thing find something that interests you. Again plan, plan, plan, and your body will thank you for it.
Mental Health
Mental health is super important, and if not taken care of it can affect the above two. I feel like this is the one thing that is most overlooked. Most people do not realize they could be depressed or overly anxious because they confuse it with stress or the fact that “this is college”. If you’re not feeling like yourself and haven’t for a while, talk to someone. When taking care of your mental health, this is the one thing that should be totally spontaneous. Go out with your friends, watch an entire series on Netflix, and most of all after long hours of studying treat yourself to Moe’s (and get the queso).
This is college, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Everything should be done in moderation. We are at the best university. Enjoy, and be sure to take care of yourself.